drip.drip.drip.

we're working on a bit of remodeling. around here. it's a bit of a mess. and a bit of a disruption.

but i keep telling myself. it will be nice. when it's done. finished. wrapped up. cleaned up. and decorated.

nice.

but today. we hit a pipe. a water. pipe. water spurting. out. dripping. water.

and now we have no water. it's been shut off. shut off until we can get someone out.

so we wait. sit and wait. and hope the guy shows up and restores our water.

and she. is so worried about not having water.

but mommy. "i'm dirty. i need to take to a bath."

but mommy. "i'm so thirsty. i must have some water. my mouth is so thirsty."

because i don't know if i can live with two littles and no water. and i was just in the middle of eight loads of laundry. and no water.

you know what i think?

i think. that people. don't understand the importance of leaving this place a better place than when you arrived. maybe because they don't live in a place or have never been able to truly experience what this world offers. the beauty and peace of the oceans. the calm and glory of the mountains and the forests.

maybe they haven't seen animals in their native habitats. the wonder of nature. maybe they haven't gotten to see how glorious this place is. how it can take your breath away. my trip out west this summer. changed me. changed the way. i think. changed the way i want to be. and i'm glad about that.

they see their concrete driveways and blacktop streets. their beige houses. their perfectly planned landscapes. i know. i live amongst this. i'm part of it...but it doesn't mean i have to like it!

maybe they haven't seen the randomness of nature.



the way a tree can grow here and there. out of a rock cropping on the side of a mountain. the waves crashing endless on the shore. the shells and goodies that are left behind.

the stillness of a forest on a summer day. the clear black sky ablaze with stars on a crisp fall day high. in the mountains.



now, don't get me wrong. i'm far. far. far. from perfect. but lately i want to be better. try harder. i want my littles to get to see these things, too.

i guess i'm just on a tangent today. all because of a commercial for the nature conservancy. it definitely got me to think. i wish i could find the link. it might just get you to think, too.

wandering.

my mind's been wandering lately. thinking alot. pondering things. lots of things. it's hard to keep it on track somedays.

i make lists. but get way-laid. i re-write lists. and still never seem to accomplish what's on them. today i actually made a list in order. in order. of the way i needed to get things done. i got through 3 of the 8 items. maybe i can still finish the rest before the day is done.

but things seem to arise. happen. upsetting calls from upset friends. reconnecting calls from far-away friends. unplanned cocktails. sites and stores and places that i seem to stumble on and stumble over. playtime and teaching time. and chasing around time.

see? i digress. this is how i end up. at the end of the day. with nothing accomplished. i've got to get focused.

these thoughts. these things. that get me side-tracked...

recipes. i've been cooking a lot more lately. trying out new recipes. testing things out. not so good for the waistline. but good for family nights.

writing. i've been writing more these days. blogging. trying to keep my goal of blogging everyday until the end of the year.

working out. trying. it's one of those things on my list. that gets done. somedays.

working. working. working. it's holiday season already. and luckily and happily i've got orders to do and photos to shoot.

meetings. get-to-gethers. appointments. commitments.

and thoughts. the economy. the election. what could happen. what will happen. what could change. get better. explaining to her. and discussing it seems. with everyone. debating. being surprised. very surprised. and frankly disappointed by people's comment's and thoughts on the outcome. that those types of thoughts and beliefs still exist in this world. still today.

what are you thinking about?

good day sunshine

after two days of rain and gloomy skies. the sun. returned today. i had this song on my mind all day. all day.


a little sunlight always brightens up a wednesday.

an interesting conversation at a meeting this am got me to thinking about all the issues as girls. moms. that people face. and deal with. everyday. frustration. loss. let down. depression. joy. happiness. they run the gamut of emotions. and we deal. and keep dealing. as we have. as everyone has. through the years.

but the sunshine helped. it put it all in perspective. and it's all about perspective right?

in my library.

i've been asked with the other yulie to join a book club.

i've thought about book clubs for years. never joined in. i kind of like to read and then ponder on my own.

but this time i might join in. depends on the reading list and timing. it might be fun to read some interesting books. share some thoughts and gain some insights. if it's light-hearted, funny stuff. it might. be. interesting. no deep. stuff for me. i have too much on my mind. for that.

but it would be good to change my reading list. because right now it is composed of these:

fashion.

someone thinks. thinks. that because they are 5. yes 5. that they should dress themselves.

and sure. maybe they should. well they do. but i pick out the outfits.

but this weekend. we were not happy with my choice.

and this is what the result was. of her choosing.

"don't i look beautiful, mommy? don't i?"



somedays you just go with it.

and yes. if you can't detect it from her. stance. there's some. attitude. (well. let's be honest - a lot of. attitude.) that came with. the new outfit.

inspired.

to feed my family some home-made food (we've been on a crazy schedule of late and the meals, well. they've been sporadic. to say the least.). so i made something. something i've never made before. something. i think i thought i'd never make. ever.

pot roast.



now. mind you. i don't consume red meat. no big political statement. or ideological reason. i just don't care for it. haven't had any since 1994. gees. do the math. over 14 years of no red meat. no hamburgers. hmmm. and i'm no better or worse for it...

anyway. my husband loves pot roast apparently. didn't know that. except his mom was here recently and he mentioned it to her. of course. now, i do feed him red meat on occasion. it's usually when we have company. but it's still served in the house.

so pot roast. i think he almost tumbled over in the grocery when i told him what i was going to make. i love to cook. love to try new recipes out. but this is one he never considered that i'd make. i mean. i make steak soup. with ground turkey breast.

for pete's sake.

i had to dial my mother. my mother. to figure out what kind of meat to buy. and i'm not an idiot in the kitchen. but i had no. idea. no idea. at all. as i stood there. looking at all the disgusting looking cuts of meat. so i dialed. she too. was flabbergasted. flabbergasted. that i would be asking her this question. about meat. you see. she is always hounding me. hounding me. to eat meat...

i must say. after the deliberations in the meat aisle. the chopping of the veggies. the seasoning of the meat. the darn thing did turn out pretty dang good. of course i didn't eat the meat. just the veggies (i know. i know. the meat flavored the veggies. i never said i was a vegetarian. just that i don't. like. red. meat.). but it made the house smell good. it was filling and warm. and comforting. just like i remembered it from when i was a kid. and my mom would make it on cold. winter. nights.

and the recipe you say? the recipe? from my favorite. cookbook. the joy of cooking. it's the best. most reliable. one. out there.

just what i wanted.

playdate = blind date

i thought when i got married. that blind dates were over. done. no more.

pushed aside. never to be thought of again.

but i was wrong. of course i was wrong.

we had a playdate yesterday. my two littles with two other littles. they are all in the same classes together at school.

and i realized that a playdate = a blind date.

but what i thought of as i drove home was. playdates. they are blind dates all over. you get together because you hope your kids will get along and play nicely together. have fun. use up some energy. but you don't think of yourself. what am i going to do for the two hours that they play? will we hit it off? will we have anything to talk about? what if my kids don't behave? what if they spit? what if they hit? what if they forget how to share? what if they break something? what? what? what? what will the other mom think of my unruly kids? will she think i'm crazy? will she question my parenting skills?

the littles had great fun. new toys. new friends. new messes to make. they tried to clean up. they said thank you when we left.

the other mom was interesting. creative. smart and above all nice. she invited my two wild and crazy kids into her house. that alone is enough to make her a saint.

but play dates. they are. blind dates.

it's blind dating. all over again. but with littles involved to add to the stress....

leap of faith.

i got up early today.

haven't been sleeping well. i guess it's still an election day hang-over.

but it was worth it. there was the most glorious sunrise this am. the sky was all purple and orange. all hues.



i tried to get a picture. i don't know that i captured it. but it was amazing.

still and colorful. an amazing way to start the day.

email.

my friend, diane sent this the other day. one of those emails. you're supposed to answer and send back.

well. of course. i never responded. i tend to get in a rut of reading emails. and not responding. so i'm doing it here. in my blogsphere. why not? the only other thing to talk about today is building fairy tents in my neighbor's living room...hee hee. christine. we did a good job. it's very ethereal.

( x ) gone on a blind date
(X ) skipped school.
( ) watched someone die
(X ) been to canada
( X) been to mexico
( X ) been to florida
( X ) been on a plane
(X) been lost

( X ) been on the opposite side of the country
(X) swam in the ocean
( X) cried yourself to sleep
( x) played cops and robber
( X) recently colored with crayons
( ) sang karaoke

( ) paid for a meal with coins only
(X) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
( X ) made prank phone calls
( X ) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( X ) caught a snowflake on your tongue
( X ) danced in the rain
(X ) written a letter to santa claus
( X ) been kissed under the mistletoe
(X ) watched the sunrise with someone
(X) blown bubbles
(X ) gone ice-skating
( ) been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) gone to the movies

1. any nickname? yes
2. favorite drink? skinny almond lattes with extra velvety foam. previously discussed in this blog. and no. longer. available.
3. how many times married? 1
4. tattoos? No
5. how much do you love your job? to the moon and back.
6. birthplace? st. paul minnesota.
7. favorite vacation spot? today that would be anyplace that is warm.
8. ever been to africa? no.
9. ever eaten just cookies for dinner? yes
10. ever been on tv? yes. does the nordstrom grand opening count?
11. ever steal any traffic signs? yes.
12. ever been in a car accident? yes
13. drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door
14. favorite number? 3.
15. favorite movie? love actually.
16. favorite holiday? easter.
17. favorite dessert? birthday cake.
18. favorite food? raspberries.
19. favorite day of the week? wednesday.
20. favorite brand of body wash? lake austin spa
21. favorite toothpaste? crest extreme herbal mint.
22. favorite smell? rainy days in the spring. bread baking. a coffee shop.
23. how do you relax? seriously?
24. how do you see yourself in 10 years? accomplished. happy. and proud.

recovery.

i'm spent.
worn out.
beat.
exhausted.


you name it. i'm it.

the excitement and adrenaline rush of the election yesterday.
wiped me out. i don't remember being this tired.

ever.

but it was worth it.

well. well. worth it.

i don't mind losing a day for what happened yesterday.

change.

a long day.

a long day.

4:45 am at the polls.

an hour to set up and get everything ready.

i was on edge. i was nervous.

i didn't want to be the one. the one who's polling place didn't run right. have machine failure. problems. issues. any of that.

i didn't want cnn to show up on our doorstep. i didn't want to talk to anderson cooper in that manner. i didn't want to be one of those people. the ones in florida. four years ago.

i was excited. but nervous. i've worked many elections. i've been a judge before. but today was different. people were actually going to come vote.

we were ready. i opened the doors at 6 sharp. we had a line winding down the sidewalk. into the parking lot and down into the street. they couldn't wait to come in. to get to the machines. to cast their vote. to get their sticker.

the day went smoothly. over 70% turnout in my district. 70%. fabulous. how funny is it that everyone wanted. an i voted sticker. and not just for the free coffee at starbucks or the free chick-fil-a sandwich or the free krispy kreme donut. but to wear. to show that they made their choice. that they celebrated their patriotism. that they voted.

there was a bit of reality however. someone actually came in and said they could only get a sticker every four years. is it possible. we workers thought, that they actually believed this? that they weren't aware. that there are more. more. elections than presidential ones???? that there are actually elections every year. even every six months? that you don't have to wait four years to get another sticker?

anyway. it was a good day. busy. tiring. stressful. fun. interesting. invigorating. friends stopped by. delivered coffee. support. and lunch. the people we met. so interesting. and everyone there. despite their differences in opinions and thoughts. to vote. i know. i love politics. this may be as much as i'm ever involved in them. but i love it.

despite his misgivings. but in a giving frame of mind, john even blessed us with his presence at our election results watch get together. he even allowed us to photograph him with a sign. a sign that he didn't care for. that he cringed at. and you can't tell but his shirt says vote for. and ends with barack obama sign. hee hee. but it's too late now. the other yulie was so proud of him. knew he was mocking us. but knew we got the better of him this time. forever it seems as it's on film this time.



her: "that's barack obama mommy. that's him!"

"he's going to change my life, mommy. change my life."



from a five year old.

a good day.

a day for change.

a proud day to be us.

a day of hope.

24 hours and counting.

it's almost. almost over.

the ads. the phone calls.

the yard signs.

the mail pieces.

the non-stop news coverage.

it all comes down to tomorrow.

i've collected my stuff.

my precinct ballot box and voting materials are in my car.

ready to go.

ready to be set up. at 5 am. that's am. in the morning. i'll be a judge at the election tomorrow. an "election official". a volunteer.

but i love it.

i love the excitement. the interest that this election has created.

i love that i had a conversation with my 5th grade neighbor this afternoon. so interested in the election. so knowledgeable. so intune. so cool.

what if everyone was that engaged? what if everyone voted tomorrow?

what if?

when we believe.

i attended an event tonight. at the time it was inspiring.

now. it seems. almost like it could be. could be. life changing.

i know. that sounds dramatic. but seriously. why not? why not be dramatic? why not try to believe?

a presentation. about "celebrating what's right with the world" by dewitt james.

a fascinating look at how to live your life. from a photographer's perspective.

since i aspire to be an amateur photographer (guess i am an amateur, so more of a pre-pro), i was fascinated. besides the obvious. the photos were tremendous, the framing was perfect. but the perception. his perception was eye-opening.

"instead of looking at what was wrong with a photo, i looked at what was right." how true. is. that? how often. how often. do i look at what is wrong. instead of what is right.

instead of focusing on the bad that comes from rough. or tough. situations. i need to look at what is good. good. there is a lot of good. i've seen a lot of it in the past few weeks. and for that i am thankful. very thankful.

i loved his quote. "perception controls our reality and if we don't believe it we won't see it."

i'm going to focus on the good. and see if i can believe it.

hold hands.

i have two littles who love to hold hands.

"hold hands mommy hold hands."



all the time.

all the time.

except when we're in parking lots, of course.

he especially likes to "hod hands".

when we went to get our flu shots yesterday. he was all. about. "hodding hands".

i think the hospital brought back surgery memories for him.

he didn't like seeing mommy get a shot. he wanted to "hod your hand mommy".

then he kissed the ouchy.

such a sweet little boy.

i hope he always wants to "hod hands".